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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has earmarked ₦493 billion for two major infrastructure projects: the upgrade of the Kano–Katsina Road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this disclosure while briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, revealing that significant cost revisions had been made to the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina Road due to prevailing economic conditions. The road had previously been divided into two sections by the former administration.
“Section one, covering 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 at ₦14 billion and revised to ₦24 billion. It has now been updated to ₦68 billion. Section two, spanning 79.5 kilometres and awarded in 2019 for ₦29 billion before increasing to ₦46 billion, has further been adjusted to ₦66.115 billion,” Umahi explained.
The combined cost for both sections now totals around ₦134 billion, with ₦6 billion allocated in the 2024 budget and ₦34 billion in the 2025 budget for section one. Section two will receive ₦80 billion across the same two years.
Regarding the Carter Bridge, Umahi detailed findings from underwater assessments conducted in 2013 and 2019, which revealed severe damage to the bridge’s substructure caused by illegal sand mining, erosion and corrosion of piles and piers.
Julius Berger, the contractor responsible for underwater and structural repairs, advised that the bridge was beyond salvage and recommended complete replacement.
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Umahi stated: “The cost of constructing a new Carter Bridge is estimated at about ₦359 billion, and discussions have been initiated with Deutsche Bank regarding potential funding.”
He further noted that similar underwater structural problems were found in the Third Mainland Bridge, with rehabilitation estimated at ₦3.8 trillion and new construction at ₦3.6 trillion.
FEC approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing) framework to conduct detailed investigations, design and bidding for both rehabilitation or new building options for Carter and Third Mainland Bridges.
Additionally, the Council sanctioned the advertisement of public-private partnership (PPP) bids for these projects.
Umahi also listed other bridge interventions that received FEC’s approval, including the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, Ido Bridge (which was burned and requires removal of three spans), Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a damaged bridge on the Abuja-Kogi route, bridges between Lagos and Ibadan affected by vehicle impacts, Jebba Bridge in Kwara State and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos.
“These emergency works will be articulated and forwarded to Mr. President for approval through the Minister of Finance,” Umahi concluded.
